Discover Anini, a hidden gem in the Eastern Himalayas

Tucked away in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, Anini is one of the most remote and breathtaking destinations in Northeast India. Perched at an altitude of around 2,500 meters above sea level, this quaint town is home to the Idu Mishmi tribe and offers travelers a perfect mix of pristine landscapes, adventure activities, and cultural immersion. If you’re someone who seeks untouched beauty, adventure, and authentic tribal experiences, Anini deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Why Visit Anini, Arunachal Pradesh?  

Stunning Natural beauty: Anini is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. The Mathun and Dri river valleys, specifically Mipi and Acheso, are picturesque and offer breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains.

Adventure activities: Anini is a great base for various adventure activities such as trekking, camping, and river rafting. The Seven Lakes Trek is a popular trek that takes you through the beautiful Mishmi Hills.  

Indigenous culture: Anini is home to the Idu Mishmi tribe, who have a rich and vibrant culture. Visitors can learn about their traditional way of life by visiting their villages and attending their festivals.  

Things to do in Anini, Arunachal Pradesh 

Anini offers a variety of distinct experiences that visitors can't find anywhere else. For example, visitors can go trekking in the forests, rafting on the Dibang River, or fishing in the many lakes and streams in the area.

• Visit the Anini View Point: The Anini View Point offers stunning panoramic views of the town and the surrounding mountains. Explore the Mathun and Dri river valleys: The Mathun and Dri river valleys are home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Anini. You can go trekking, camping, or river rafting in these valleys.
• Visit the Seven Lakes: The Seven Lakes Trek is a popular trek that takes you through the beautiful Mishmi Hills. The trek is challenging but offers stunning views of the mountain lakes. 

• Visit the Dambeun Village: A traditional Idu Mishmi village, Dambeun is situated 15 km from Anini. With just 7 homes, it's a secluded village amidst stunning mountains. Here, you can learn about the tribe's traditional lifestyle and culture. Dambeun is the ideal destination if you're seeking a peaceful retreat from the modern world.
• Visit Mipi Village: Explore Idu Mishmi culture and hunting traditions in Mipi village. Observe traditional hunting artifacts and hear fascinating stories from locals during your day trip.
• Attend Idu Mishmi festival: The Idu Mishmi community has a rich tradition of folk songs and dances celebrating harvesting, food production and the simple emotions of life. Reh and Ke-Meh-Ha are two important festivals of the Idu-Mishmi community. Reh is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd February every year. Celebration of Reh starts with the chanting and dancing by priest, praying to the god and goddess Maselo-Zinu and Nani Intaya and giving thanks for all their blessing to mankind.The festival begins with a priest chanting and dancing, praying to the gods Maselo-Zinu and Nani Intaya. Visitors can attend these festivals to learn more about the tribe's culture and traditions.
• Visit the Anini Wildlife Sanctuary: The Anini Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and hornbills. Visitors can go on a wildlife safari to see these animals in their natural habitat. 

Best time to visit Anini, Arunachal Pradesh:

The best time to visit Anini is during the winter months (October to March) when the weather is pleasant and sunny. The summer months (April to June) can be quite hot and humid, while the monsoon season (July to September) can bring heavy rains.

How many days should you keep for holidays in Anini?

It is recommended to keep at least 3 to 4 days for an Anini holiday, 8 days more if you take up Seven Lakes Trek. This will give you enough time to explore the town and its surroundings and to participate in some of the adventure activities on offer.

How to get to Anini, Arunachal Pradesh?

The closest airport to Anini is in Tezpur, which is roughly 300 km by road, while the best way to reach Anini is to take a flight to Guwahati/Dibrugarh. There's also a helicopter service at Itanagar via Roing and in Assam.
The nearest airport is Dibrugarh(about 190 km away) from which one can take a bus or taxi to Roing and onwards to Anini. Visitors traveling to Anini from Dibrugarh must break their journey and stay in Roing.

Where to Stay in Anini?

Anini is a small town and the accommodation is limited. However, for an authentic and homely experience of Idu Mishmi culture, we highly recommend staying at Mishmi Hills Resort in Anini. The resort is situated against a backdrop of lush bamboo forests and fern-covered hills, creating a serene and tranquil environment for visitors. 

Chigu Camp, which is beautiful resort in Acheso, is only about 45 kms from Anini and takes about 1 hour by road.  

Permits required to visit Anini?

To visit Anini in Arunachal Pradesh, both domestic and foreign tourists are required to obtain permits:

Domestic tourists must obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) from the Secretary (Political), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar or the respective Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner of the districts. ILPs can also be obtained from Resident Commissioner's / Liaison Offices located in New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur, and Jorhat. ILPs can also be applied for online at www.arunachalilp.com. 

Foreign tourists must obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) from Indian missions abroad, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, or the Home Commissioners, Government of Arunachal Pradesh in Itanagar. Foreign tourists visiting Arunachal Pradesh also have to pay a royalty of USD 50 per person to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the PAP application must be made through an approved local tour operator.
The permits are required to visit Anini and other protected/restricted areas in Arunachal Pradesh. The permits are valid for specific tourist circuits/routes and entry/exit points, and tourists are not allowed to deviate from the permitted areas  

In Conclusion

A beautiful town, surrounded by captivating landscapes and unique attractions, cultural heritage, natural wonders, and distinct experiences, Anini is a must-visit location for all intrepid travelers seeking an authentic offbeat adventure.  

Written by Omanso Tayang

Omanso Tayang, an avid backpacker with an engineering background from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, returned to his home state after completing his education in Chennai & NERIST. Passionate about promoting the lesser-known destinations, Oman has traveled across most parts of Arunachal to find unique locations like Anini, Dong Valley, Namsai etc. When not exploring, Oman enjoys camping, trekking, dancing and going on culinary adventures

For a customized Anini Arunachal Pradesh Tour experience you can contact us at +91-7669503993 or email to contact@ourguest.in